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Anditi Women’s Pro off to a flying start at Merewether

World Surf League QS6000 Men's Event
World Surf League QS6000 Women's Event
Merewether Beach, Newcastle New South Wales
20 - 26 February 2017

Former World Junior Champion Mahina Maeda Starts Out Strong

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 22 February, 2017- The 2017 Anditi Women’s Pro WSL Qualifying Series (QS) 6000 has kicked off today at Merewether Beach. Running in conjunction with Newcastle Surfest, the Anditi Women’s Pro is the opening QS6,000 of the year and has attracted some of the biggest names in women’s surfing.

After two massive days of action for the Maitland and Port Stephens Toyota Pro, it was the women’s turn to hit the water and rip-up the 2-foot wind affected peaks and complete Rounds One and Two.

Tia Blanco @ WSL/Sproule

Former World Junior Champion Mahina Maeda is no stranger to success. The young Hawaiian comes into 2017 with one thing on her mind, qualifying for the elite Championship Tour (CT). She started the year off well with a second at the World Junior championships in Kiama and hopes that she can use the Anditi Women’s Pro as a springboard into a string of results on the QS. Her campaign started well with a heat win in Round 2.

“My main focus this year is to qualify for the CT,” Maeda said. “I feel like if I get on a roll, this is achievable for me. I started the year off well with a solid result at the World Junior championships so I just need to keep that going. I’m feeling fit and my surfing is feeling good which is great.”

Kobie Enright @ WSL/Sproule

South Africa’s Bianca Buitendag was unable to hold on to her spot on the CT at the end of 2016. The powerful goofy-foot has made it clear that this season is all about re-qualifying. She got her campaign off to a good start at Merewether today progressing through Round 2 in second spot. Buitendag’s strong forehand attack saw her post a solid heat total of 13.50.

“I believe that starts are always important,” Buitendag said. “The start of a heat, the start of a contest, the start of a season, the start of a goal. They are all super important and this event is all of those things and the start of many things for me. If I can get a good result here it will build confidence and the rest will flow on from that. This is a really big year for me. I’m staying with a family here in Newcastle and with some good friends so I’m really comfortable which always helps.”